Automatic propelling life-preserver.



No. 845,659. PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907.

W. LUGE.

AUTOMATIOPROPELLING LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16. 1906.

WITNESSES A INVENTOH S r I WZZZZZm Luce By W I ATTORNEIYS m: NORRISPzrss co., WASHINGTON. m c.

WILLIAM LUOE, OF SEASIDE, OREGON.

AUTOMATIC PROPELLING LIFE-PRESERVE}?- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907.

Application filed May 16. 1906. Seria No. 317,098.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LUcE, a citithis web being substantiallysimilar to that described above. The construction at this zen of theUnited States, and a resident of point includes a rigid collar 10,similar to the Seaside, in the county of Olatsop and State of Oregon,have invented a new and Imcollar 4.

It should be understood that in using this roved Automatic PropellingLife-Preserver, '1 device the swimmer seizes the handle 3 with of whichthe following is a full, clear and exact description.

This invention relates to life-preservers.

The object of the invention is to produce a device which will assist theswimmer to float and to propel himself through the water.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts -tobe more fully described hereinafter, and particularly set forth in theclaims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure l is a side view showing the upper portion of the device inelevation and the lower portion thereof in section, and Fig. 2 is a planor end view of the device.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents the body of thedevice, which consists of a float formed of two heads 2 and 2 ofsubstantially cylindrical form, connected by a reduced neck or handle 3.These heads 2* and 2 are preferably of sheet metal and of tubular form,and their extremities are preferably of substantially conical form, asindicated. Near the outer extremity of the head 2 a rigid collar 4 isattached, the same being preferably composed of hard rubber or similarmaterial. Just below this collar I provide a ring 5, which is attachedto the head in any suitable manner, as indicated. Upon this ring 5 Iattach a plurality of stretchers or ribs 6, which ribs are preferablyformed with forked inner extremities, loosely mounted upon the ring 5.be understood that close against the side of the head 2, or they may beextended radially, so as to project out from the head, as indicated inFig. 2. the ribs or stretchers 6 I attach a web 7, which is preferablyformed of oil-silk or similar ma terial. The outer extremities of theribs 6 are formed with eyes, through which passes an elastic cord 8. Aweb 9, similar to that just described, is attached to the head 2 nearthe inner extremity thereof, as shown, the construction and manner ofmounting which are moving his arms It should ward and rearward, as 18customary in swimthese stretchers may he ming.

the head 2 disposed forwardly or in the divance. Now if the device ismoved forwardly the webs 7 and 9 will lie close against the sides of theheads 2 and 2 so that little resistance is afforded to the advance ofthe device. However, if the device is moved in the opposite directionthe webs immediately operate to expand, so that the ribs 6 disposethemselves in an extended position, as indicated in the dotted lines atthe lower portion of Fig. 1. When the ribs extend themselves in thismanner the collars 4 and 10 operate as stops to limit the movementthereof. Of course when the webs are expanded in this manner, they ofiergreat resistance in being moved through the water, so that the swimmermay progress at a rapid rate. As soon as the device is move forwardlyagain the elastic cordat the edge of the web and to which the web isattached assists in bringing the web to a folded condition. As the heads2* and 2 are tubular, they operate effectively as floats, so that theirbuoyancy assists in supporting the swimmer in the water. By reason ofthe fact that the ends of the heads 2 and 2 are sharpened theresistances in moving the device in a forward direction are reduced. Inpractice all the metal parts will be plated ,so as to preserve them fromthe corrosive effects of the sea water and air.

Obviously the improvement may with great advantage be employed in pairs,one for each hand, the swimmer using them by first forward and then out-This will collapse the webs on their forward movement and expand themwhen they are swung outward and rearward. On

To account of the buoyancy afforded but little fatigue will beexperienced in swimming rapidly, and a swimmer may support himself inthe Water a long time if the improved floating and swimming device isused. The elastic cord operates to open the web promptly on thecommencement of the back stroke.

In the practical construction of the device suitable means may beemployed for attaching the device to the hand. In there Will be no outof the hand.

Having thus described my invention, I

danger of losing the device Patent 1. A device of the class described,comprising a body having a plurality of pivotallyattachedradially-disposed ribs adapted to fold against the sides thereof, saidbody having a projection constituting a stop adapted to be struck bysaid ribs to limit the outward movement thereof, and a web attached tosaid ribs.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a body presenting buoyantheads conthis way nected by a handle, said heads havinglaterally-projecting collars near the forward eX- tremities thereofrespectively, rings attached a plurality of ribs attached to said ringsand l adapted to extend radially therefrom, said collars constitutingstops for said ribs, and webs attached to said ribs.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

j WILLIAM LUOE. I IVitnesses l CHARLES E. DU Bors, SAMUEL MILLER.

to said bodies respectively near said collars, claim as new and desireto secure by Letters

